SERIOUSLY ill babies will now benefit from a scheme which aims to boost reading and writing skills in later life and promote bonding with parents.

Scotland’s first literacy programme for premature babies being treated in neonatal units has been launched at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

The Bookbug scheme, run by the Scottish Government, offers parents a free bag of books when babies are between three to five weeks.

However, up until now, premature babies and their parents have missed out.

Staff at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have been working in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust’s to introduce it to families.

Reading to babies promotes bonding and attachment between family members and babies and is calming for infants, particularly those who are unwell and may be on a ventilator

Studies show pre-term babies meet their language developmental milestones on time when they have been read to as a baby.

Parents who read to their babies are also more likely to continue as the child gets older helping to improve literacy skills.

Kevin Hill, director of Women & Children’s Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Bookbug will be a wonderful asset to the Royal Hospital for Children and our families are very excited about it.

“Babies in Scotland receive a Bookbug bag from their health visitor around the age of three to five weeks.

“However, up until now families in NICU have unfortunately been missing out.

“Working with Bookbug we’re creating a bespoke programme for NICU gifting bookbags to parents with the existing contents but with additional information about the benefit of reading in NICU.

“We’re adding rhymes, songs, story books, developmental books and links to online resources.

“We also have a library service with books being regularly delivered to the unit so families can choose new stories.”

Families with babies being treated at the unit shared a celebration cake yesterday, with staff to mark the launch of the scheme.

Catriona Wallace, Head of Early Years at Scottish Book Trust, said: “Reading, talking and singing to babies makes a huge difference to their development and we're delighted be part of this exciting new work with the neonatal unit at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children.

“The enthusiasm from staff, parents and volunteers has been outstanding and we’re keen to learn from this project as it develops.

“We hope that families will enjoy sharing stories from their Bookbug Baby bags not just in the unit but also long after they have gone home together.”